The purpose of this policy is to provide the Regional Bus Program Supervisors (SMVIs) and field inspection staff (MVI’s) with guidance regarding the inspection of vehicles for determining compliance with section 720.4 (L) Lamps, with regard to Light Emitting Diode type lamp assemblies and how to apply the OOS criteria in order to ensure uniformity of inspections across the state.

This policy supersedes and replaces FAQ dated September 24, 2001 on this subject.

Part 720.4 (L) Requires that All lamps, signals and reflectors shall conform with and be installed as required by Section 375 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (NYSV&T) and this Part.

The Department’s current policy regarding LED lamp assemblies is as follows:

When required, if an entire LED assembly fails to function, (no diode is illuminated) the vehicle is to be placed OOS pursuant to the appropriate OOS Criteria Item beginning with 26.00.

Any required LED lamp assembly that has any portion of the designed light emitting diodes in the assembly still functioning, will be considered a serviceable lamp assembly.

If any portion of the LED lamp diodes are not functioning, but at least one independently functioning diode, or a diode cluster, still functions normally, the MVI shall cite a 99.02 (N) OOS defect code on the Mc300 form, identify the specific LED lamp that is out in the defect area and state… “LED assembly has one or more diodes that are inoperative and must be replaced within fifteen (15) days. (The same as if it were a “C” defect)

Any concerns Department inspectors have regarding this requirement should be addressed through the normal chain of command using the Department’s “Non-Standard Non-Compliance” form. Unusual failure patterns should also be addressed in this manner so that the Dept. can work with the Manufacturers to resolve reliability issues. Operator maintenance personnel should be advised that the failure of diodes is an indication that there may be a high voltage condition existing in the vehicle that requires their attention.